End-to-end Session Identifier in SIP (charter proposal ) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The end-to-end Session Identifier in an SIP-based multimedia communication refers to the ability for endpoints, intermediate devices, and management and monitoring system to identify and correlate SIP messages and dialogs of the same higher-level end-to-end "communication session" across multiple SIP devices and hops. Unfortunately, there are a number of factors that contribute to the fact that the current dialog identifiers as defined in SIP is not suitable for end-to-end session identification. Perhaps the most important factor worth describing is that in real-world deployments devices like Session Border Controllers (SBC) often change the current call identifiers (e.g., the From-tag and To-tag that are used in conjunction with the Call-ID header to make the dialog-id) as the session signaling passes through. An end-to-end Session Identifier should allow the possibility to identify the communication session from the point of origin, passing through any number of intermediaries, to the ultimate point of termination. It should have the same aim as the From-tag, To-tag and Call-ID conjunction, but should not be mangled by intermediaries. A SIP end-to-end Session Identifier has been considered as possible solution of different use cases like troubleshooting, billing, session tracking, session recording, media and signaling correlation, and so forth. Some of these requirements have also been identified and come directly from other Existing working group within the RAI area (e.g. SIPRec, Splices). Moreover, other SDOs have identified the need for SIP and H.323 to carry the same "session ID" value(s) so that it is possible identify a call end-to end even when performing inter working between protocols. This group will first focus on a document that will identify, collect and discuss all the requirements and the use cases that have been identified. The document may identify the possibility to design a general mechanism or the need to design multiple purpose built identifiers. Once the needs are clear and identified, the working group will specify the mechanism(s). Specifically, the proposed working group will develop the following deliverable: A requirement and use case document with key consideration for SIP Session End-to-End identifier. The document will discuss the possibility of designing a general mechanism or the needs to design multiple purpose build identifier. Specification of new mechanism for SBC/B2BUA traversal. Goal and Milestone: October 2011 - Requirement and use case document sent to the IESG (Information)